Deisel Emisions

Diesel Emissions.

The new diesel emissions controls being put into place by the EPA control non road diesel fuel, and truck and bus emissions. This includes all farm equipment and other large pieces of diesel equipment. Non road diesel fuel is not taxed and it is also dyed red. It is also refined a lot less and has serious consequences on the environment.

The particles emitted by diesel engines are referred to as small particulate matter or SPM. The most dangerous particles are 3.5 microns and smaller. Ninety percent of all particles are less than 1 micron in diameter. Long term exposure to these particles causes tumor growth. The cancer causing chemicals that are present in the particles are called polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons. Other cancer causing chemicals emitted during diesel combustion are benzene, arsenic and formaldehyde. (Pegg)

The particles have also been linked to increases in asthma in children who are living in areas with high truck traffic. The particles bind with pollen in the air increasing the allergic reaction. Children are especially susceptible to truck pollution and many times suffer from reduced lung function. Increasing rates of asthma in inner city children are being blamed on high diesel emissions (Cleaning)

Diesel emissions also contain high levels of nitrogen oxides and ozone which combine with other pollutants to create ground level smog. The new fuel standards will prevent an estimated 12,000 premature deaths, 8,300 hospitalizations, 16,000 heart

attacks and 5,700 children’s asthma-related emergency room visits. This will save billions of dollars in hospital bills.

Currently the biggest polluters of sulfur are farming and heavy equipment. Because they use non road diesel fuel which contains more sulfur than on road diesel fuel. Currently the non road fuel has an average of 3,400 parts per million of sulfur. The new standards starting in 2007 will bring the fuel up to the current on road standards, which is 500 parts per million. By 2010 the standard will be tightened to 15 parts per million for on and off road fuels. Boats and trains will have to 2012 to meet the new 15 parts per million standards.(Pegg)

This reduction will lower sulfur emissions by 99% overall. Small particulate matter will be reduced by 90% this is the equivalent to 125,000 tons. By 2030 when the standards are fully phased in the environmental and health benefits will equal 80 billion dollars while only costing 1.5 billion annually. Over all the fuel will cost an extra 4.8 to 7 cents per gallon. The refineries will have to upgrade their facilities to produce this fuel. (Diesel)

Other benefits of the new diesel emissions are environmental the standards will decrease greenhouse gases and decrease smog. Acid rain will also be reduced by the new standards. By lowering the ozone levels in large cities by one third could save an estimated 4,000 lives a year. (Cleaning)

The auto truck and equipment manufactures must produce cleaner burning engines to avoid getting serious fines. In 1998 car manufacturers were fined 83 million dollars for using computer technology to pass laboratory tests.

The cars released unlawfully high amounts of pollution during actual use. Many manufactures are trying to perfect and release largely untested engines for use in years to come. The manufacturers are falling behind in engine technology but are developing other means of emissions control.

School buses are being targeted for clean up due to the fact that they are dirty due to lots of stop and go conditions. Short haul and stop and go traffic is the worst because more people are subjected to the ground level soot. There are many alternatives in the fight against diesel pollution. Emission control devices and cleaner burning fuels and alternative fuels. (Pegg)

Bio diesel is a clean burning fuel derived from used fryer oil. Bio diesel fuel is the only alternative fuel that passes the health effects testing requirements of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments. Many of the by products of the process of making bio diesel are useful. Like Glycerin for making soap. Many people have already begun to use this fuel in their vehicles and personal farming equipment.

Problems of the new regulations include the upgrades on the trucks that go along with the new fuel. Also many trucks will need to be replaced because of the actual emissions testing. Rising fuel costs also have many trucking and agricultural companies complaining. Many do not think it is practical to introduce the new emissions as quickly as they are. Although there are oil companies who already offer the 15 parts per million low sulfur fuel.(Pegg)

The health and environmental benefits of decreasing diesel emissions are outstanding. Just